Ms Marian Hennessy:

To answer the Senator’s question, we were very fortunate that our services continued through Covid-19. We managed to offer service online. In fact, we had 24 people on our programme working as front-line workers through the pandemic. We had to look at our programme and see what we could do to improve our employment options. We looked to the pharmaceutical companies and to the retail sector and found job opportunities in these areas.

The Senator spoke about gaps in the post training and upskilling area and the only way we can address all these issues is by having a person-centred approach. This is something we have done in Ability@Work. We were delivering a programme for about a year and thought we were doing fine until we sat down and asked the participants in the programme about what they think, want and need. This is what we need in these decisions and making decisions here today. We need to be asking the people who have the lived experience. We have no idea what type of world they are in and the barriers they are facing.

We write up and deliver programmes, but have we really considered asking people whether we are meeting their needs and what accommodations they need? That is a big gap. We are great at talking to and about people but I do not know whether we really include them and ask them for their opinions, and that is something we need to do.

I am a strong believer in examining pathways alternative to the traditional one, that is, from secondary school to vocational training centres and day services. We need to offer alternatives for people, no matter what their ability is. They are entitled to access mainstream services but much work has to be done to offer the proper supports. I refer not just to scribes and personal assistants but a proper wraparound service for people in order that they can enjoy third level education or be part of the workforce. I cannot say strongly enough how much we need to educate employers. Every week, we knock on doors in Cork and bring the same message. After working with businesses for 30 years, I still meet people who do not understand what it is to have an inclusive workforce. They do not understand what supported employment is, nor appreciate that people can have different ways of learning.